PITTSBURGH — The Steelers agreed to terms with former Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery on Thursday.
The seven-year veteran was released by the Jets last week.
Cotchery has 358 career receptions, but his numbers fell considerably last season in New York. He hauled in 41 passes in 14 games in 2010, his lowest reception total since he became a starter in 2006.
Maclin battling illness
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Jeremy Maclin returned to his hometown of St. Louis to undergo further testing for the mystery illness that neither the Eagles nor doctors have apparently been able to identify.
Maclin looked noticeably thinner when players reported to camp July 28, although a team official said this week the receiver was only 2 pounds below his normal playing weight. Still, the lack of information has led to Internet rumors that Maclin is suffering from a career-threatening disease.
Last week, Maclin said “those crazy reports aren’t true.” Last season, Maclin caught 70 passes for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Panthers lose WR Gettis
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — An MRI revealed Panthers starting wide receiver David Gettis tore the ACL in his left knee and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
With Gettis out of the lineup, the Panthers are expected to turn to Brandon LaFell, a third-round pick in 2010, to compete with Legedu Naanee, a free-agent pickup from San Diego. Gettis started 15 games last season as a rookie and caught 37 passes and had three touchdowns.
Also, the Panthers placed defensive tackle Ron Edwards on injured reserve with a torn triceps and replaced him with free-agent defensive tackle DelJuan Robinson.
Footnotes.
Contract talks between Osi Umenyiora and the Giants remained deadlocked, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end said.
• The league has informed its 32 teams that the supplemental draft is set for Wednesday, but former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is not on an approved list — at least so far — that includes several other players.
• Bears running back Matt Forte, who wants to negotiate an extension, hinted he would consider the possibility of sitting out preseason games — a move that could cost him $30,000 a day in fines under the new collective bargaining agreement.
• Jets center Nick Mangold (stinger) and receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) are day to day.
• The Chiefs signed former Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither.
The Associated Press
